Immoral Tales [Contes Immoraux] *** (1973, Lise Danvers, Fabrice Luchini, Charlotte Alexandra) – Classic Movie Review 10,353

Writer-director Walerian Borowczyk’s 1974  erotic art film Immoral Tales [Contes Immoraux] tells four ‘immoral’ tales (Contes Immoraux), in which a quartet of women from different historical epochs explore aspects of female sexuality in relation to various taboos.

They range from the story of Lucretia Borgia’s love with the Pope, to Countess Bâthory’s obsession with pretty virgins, to a Victorian girl who discovers masturbation through erotic engravings, right up to the modern-day virgin taught about sex by her cousin on the beach.

Art-house director Borowczyck carefully controls the erotic scenes through atmosphere and suggestion but there is enough sex to reach a popular audience.

The main cast are Lise Danvers, Charlotte Alexandra, Paloma Picasso as Countess Elisabeth Bathory, Florence Bellamy as Lucrezia Borgia, Fabrice Luchini, Lorenzo Berinizi as Caesar Borgia, Jacopo Berinizi as Pope Alexander VI, and Pascal Christophe.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,353

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